This archive report was first published on 15 June 2021.
On June 15, 2021, the High Court in Kenya issued a temporary shutdown order for Yetu Leather Ltd, a leather processing company in Dagoretti, Kiambu County, due to environmental pollution concerns.
The court, led by Justice Lucy Gacheru, barred the company and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) from further infringing on the residents' constitutional rights to a clean and healthy environment.
The shutdown order also applies to Ngethe Mburu, the owner of Yetu Leather Company Limited, Kiambu County, Kenya Power, and the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company.
The residents, led by Patrick Njenga, claimed that the leather tannery posed a significant health hazard to them and their families.
They alleged that the company began operations in November 2015, despite their objections to the issuance of an Environment Impact Assessment licence by Nema in April 2016.
Nema, however, maintained that the licence was issued after the company submitted an EIA report and complied with all relevant laws and regulations.
Justice Gacheru found that the balance of convenience lay in favour of the residents, stating, 'It is the court's considered view that if the plaintiffs are to suffer any health concerns, the same may not be compensated by costs.'
